The Ultimate Playboy(67)

                ‘Sorry, amante, I don’t make blind promises when it comes to business.’

                Her lips firmed. ‘Simon sold his share of the business to a guy who doesn’t see eye to eye with my business plan.’ In low tones, she elaborated.

                He jerked upright. ‘You’re being threatened by a loan shark?’

                ‘Yes.’

                ‘And you didn’t think to inform me?’ he demanded.

                ‘Would you have believed me? Especially in light of how I approached you?’

                ‘Perhaps not right then, but...’ The idea that he was prepared to give her the benefit of the doubt gave him a moment’s pause. ‘What’s his name?’

                ‘I don’t know—he refused to tell me. All he wants is his money.’

                ‘So I own twenty-five per cent of your business and a loan shark whose name you don’t know another twenty-five per cent?’

                ‘Yes.’

                He slowly relaxed on his lounger and stared at her. ‘You do realise that our agreement is transforming into substantially more than a talent-contest-prize delivery, don’t you?’

                A flush warmed her skin. ‘I’m not sure I know what you mean.’

                ‘What I mean, Ruby mio, is that in order to realise my twenty-five-per-cent investment, it seems I have to offer my business expertise. Writing you a cheque after next week and walking away is looking less and less likely.’

                Why that thought pleased him so much, Narciso refused to examine.





                                      CHAPTER EIGHT

                ‘I DON’T REMEMBER the last time I sunbathed.’

                ‘I can tell.’

                Blue eyes glared at him and his pulse rocketed. Narciso tried to talk himself calmer. No one else was to blame since he’d invited her to go scuba-diving with him. After another sleepless night battling unrelenting sexual frustration.

                ‘How can you tell? And don’t tell me it’s because you’re a warlock.’

                ‘I don’t need otherworldly powers, cara. Your skin is so pale it’s almost translucent and there are no visible tan lines.’

                She glanced down at herself. ‘Oh.’

                ‘Here.’ He grabbed the sun protection, started to move towards her, changed his mind at the last minute and tossed it to her.

                ‘Thanks.’ She sat on the same lounger as last night. But this time, the smell of her skin and the drying sea water made his blood heat.

                ‘Where did you learn to dive?’ he asked to distract himself from following the slim fingers that worked their way up her leg.

                She smiled. ‘I spent a few summers working at a hotel in Florida when I was in high school. I worked in the kitchens and got to dive in my spare time.’

                ‘Have you always known you wanted to be a chef?’

                Her smile immediately dimmed and he cursed himself for broaching a touchy subject.